Diskin expressed criticism of the IDF, hinting at the military’s refusal to permit GSS (General Security Service/ Shin Bet) investigators to take part in the interrogation of Hizbullah prisoners apprehended during the war in Lebanon.
The senior intelligence community official spoke of the dangers building in PA (Palestine Authority) controlled Gaza, as well as the decay of law and order throughout PA autonomous areas in Judea and Samaria, speaking of the “Lebanonization process” in those areas. The growing Hizbullah trend funded by Iran explained Diskin, is taking a more prominent seat on the PA political scene, gaining momentum over Fatah and even PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah’s Hamas party.
Regarding Sinai, Diskin warned that in 3-5 years, the area will become a major route for the importation of arms for terrorists, stating Sinai will become a major threat to Israel if the current trend is permitted to continue.
Diskin played down the effectiveness of Egyptian forces responsible for the border area, stating that in the past months since Egypt assumed its new role, some 15,000 light weapons were permitted into PA-controlled areas in addition to an estimated one million bullets. In addition, handguns, rockets, dozens of anti-tank rockets, dozens of advanced anti-tank rockets, RPGs, and 122mm Katyusha rockets have been brought across the border.
The Shin Bet director added he believes that Egyptian terror experts have been brought into Gaza, experts trained by Iran, working in earnest to perpetrate major terror attacks.
Terrorists in Gaza are working to export Kassam technology to areas abandoned by Israel, primarily northern Samaria after the area Jewish communities were uprooted in last summer’s Disengagement Plan.
Following the war in Lebanon, Diskin believes there will be an increased Hizbullah involvement in PA areas, partially due to increased funding for the terrorist organization’s activities.
Regarding the PA administration, the Shin Bet remain pessimistic regarding Chairman Abu Mazen’s (Mahmoud Abbas) ability to implement rule of law, stating the same pessimism applies regarding the Hamas-led administration of Prime Minister Haniyah.
Following the briefing, some of the committee members stated it has been some time since they have heard such a pessimistic briefing.
While government officials remain silent on the subject, the senior official’s report concurs with the bleak warnings that preceded the implementation of last summer’s Disengagement Plan, warnings that areas evacuated by Israel would serve as terror bases, adding that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza areas would leave all of Gaza to become another Lebanon, a significant terror threat along the Negev border.
The senior intelligence community official spoke of the dangers building in PA (Palestine Authority) controlled Gaza, as well as the decay of law and order throughout PA autonomous areas in Judea and Samaria, speaking of the “Lebanonization process” in those areas. The growing Hizbullah trend funded by Iran explained Diskin, is taking a more prominent seat on the PA political scene, gaining momentum over Fatah and even PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah’s Hamas party.
Regarding Sinai, Diskin warned that in 3-5 years, the area will become a major route for the importation of arms for terrorists, stating Sinai will become a major threat to Israel if the current trend is permitted to continue.
Diskin played down the effectiveness of Egyptian forces responsible for the border area, stating that in the past months since Egypt assumed its new role, some 15,000 light weapons were permitted into PA-controlled areas in addition to an estimated one million bullets. In addition, handguns, rockets, dozens of anti-tank rockets, dozens of advanced anti-tank rockets, RPGs, and 122mm Katyusha rockets have been brought across the border.
The Shin Bet director added he believes that Egyptian terror experts have been brought into Gaza, experts trained by Iran, working in earnest to perpetrate major terror attacks.
Terrorists in Gaza are working to export Kassam technology to areas abandoned by Israel, primarily northern Samaria after the area Jewish communities were uprooted in last summer’s Disengagement Plan.
Following the war in Lebanon, Diskin believes there will be an increased Hizbullah involvement in PA areas, partially due to increased funding for the terrorist organization’s activities.
Regarding the PA administration, the Shin Bet remain pessimistic regarding Chairman Abu Mazen’s (Mahmoud Abbas) ability to implement rule of law, stating the same pessimism applies regarding the Hamas-led administration of Prime Minister Haniyah.
Following the briefing, some of the committee members stated it has been some time since they have heard such a pessimistic briefing.
While government officials remain silent on the subject, the senior official’s report concurs with the bleak warnings that preceded the implementation of last summer’s Disengagement Plan, warnings that areas evacuated by Israel would serve as terror bases, adding that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza areas would leave all of Gaza to become another Lebanon, a significant terror threat along the Negev border.